The most powerful advocacy tool for the Agenda is your signature as a supporter.  Organizations and individuals are invited to sign on as a supporter of the 2015 Agenda.  We also encourage you to invite your friends and colleagues to sign on.  A list of supporters will be attached to the document before it is distributed to legislators and the public, as well as included on our website. The document will be released at our Legislative Reception and Briefing and will be distributed to all legislators. 

Cooperative action is the basis upon which MLAW operates.  One voice is important but the collective voices of many impacts public policy and enables advocates and legislators to demonstrate concern and support for women’s issues.  Make your voice count for women and their families in the 2015 session of the Maryland General Assembly.   

To add your name to the list of supporters, download the sign-on form MLAW 2015 Agenda Sign On or simply email your name exactly as it should appear to mdlegagenda4women@yahoo.com.  

Thank you for your support.  We look forward to receiving your signature of support for the 2015 Agenda by 1/16/15.

In November, leaders of state-wide organizations and advocates addressing issues of concern to women of Maryland participated in a conference to identify potential legislative initiatives for the 2014 Maryland General Assembly.   Those initiatives then constituted a ballot which members of MLAW considered.  Members were asked to identify what they believed were the top initiatives for the MLAW Legislative Agenda 2015.

The MLAW Board of Directors reviewed the results of the balloting and identified issues that will comprise the MLAW Legislative Agenda 2015.  The issues selected are listed below and described in more detail here: MLAW 2015 Agenda – Bill Synopsis.

• Midwife Licensure
• Protective Orders – Relief for Victims of Dating and Sexual Violence
• Akin’s Law
• Domestic Violence – Protective Orders – Additional Relief
• Maryland Earned Sick and Safe Leave Act
• State Personnel – Limits of Use of Leave for Birth, Adoption, Foster Placement or Care of Child
• Paid Family and Medical Leave – Feasibility Study